Book Review
“Race, Poverty, and Social Justice: Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning,” edited by José Z. Calderón.
Reviewed by Connie M. Fossen, Viterbo University

Race, Poverty, and Social Justice: Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning provides examples of academic service learning that engage students and faculty to learn about social justice through community action. The text is not the expected discipline-specific service learning text, but, rather, it provides descriptions of course-embedded social justice activities applicable to a variety of disciplines and courses.

Each chapter details a service learning-social justice activity within the context of the course offering. The chapters offer a ‘how to’ framework ready to be adapted and replicated in other disciplines, courses and communities. Chapters and appendices also provide specific details such as the course syllabus, learning outcomes, instructor reflections, resources, and in some chapters, assessment outcomes. To inspire the use of the projects across disciplines the text includes a helpful Activity/Methodology Table that outlines each chapter under headings such as application, disciplines, community partner type and size of class.

The first section of the book makes a case for teaching social justice through collaborative service learning across the academe. The first chapter describes a course that uses the historical perspective of the 60s Black Panthers’ actions, which students compare to their own service learning experiences. The next section offers three chapters of service learning projects carried out in a day labor center for immigrants. In one project, students organized a clinic to assist immigrants in obtaining an identification card. The third section on homelessness, human service, and public policy exposes students to the real-life consequences of unjust policies in people’s lives. The fourth section discusses an international project that engages students in global social justice issues through the production of public service announcement videos for non-profit organizations. The final section, ‘Culture and Equity,’ provides examples of projects that develop the skills necessary to communicate with different cultures. This section presented an interesting variety of ways that students could learn first-hand about social justice through direct contact with individuals who have experienced injustice.

The text offers the experienced or novice faculty member service learning projects that are adaptable to a wide range of disciplines and localities. The faculty member with a basic understanding of service learning can use this practical information to add to their existing projects or develop new activities that serve the greater good of their community. This text is part of a four-part series called ‘Service Learning for Civic Engagement,’ which includes ‘Gender Identity, Equity and Violence’ and two forthcoming books – ‘Promoting Health and Wellness in Underserved Communities’ and ’Research, Advocacy, and Political Engagement.’

This review was written by Connie Fossen, Associate Professor in the Social Work Program at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She teaches a required course, The Profession of Social Work through Service Learning, which offers new majors an opportunity to be of service in the community while learning about the values and ethics of the profession of social work.

Title: Race, Poverty, and Social Justice: Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning
Author: José Z. Calderón.
Price: $27.50 paper
Publisher: Stylus
Year: 2007
Pages: 254

ISBN: 978-1-57922-220-8